Guildford fringe founder makes bid to save theatre

The former leaseholder handed back the keys after the venue failed to make money

The founder of Guildford Fringe has submitted a proposal to save the town's Electric Theatre after uncertainty about the venue's future.

Nick Wyschna told BBC Radio Surrey: "We want to bring the theatre back into the community and make it a home for amateur dramatics again."

Earlier this year, its former leaseholder, the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), handed the Electric Theatre back to its owner, Guildford Borough Council, saying it was no longer able to subsidise the loss-making venue.

The council said: "Numerous expressions of interest have been submitted and no decisions have been made at this stage."

Mr Wyschna, who is also the managing director of Fallen Angel Bar, said the Electric Theatre was "a massive part of his heart".

"I did loads of shows there as a kid like Copacabana and many others," he said.

He acknowledged funding would be a challenge to keep the theatre operating but said he would establish a marketing department.

"This would support all bookers from amateur dramatics to the touring professional shows," he explained.

He suggested the theatre could hold workshops and proposed using the outside space for a variety of festivals.

Gilly Fick, chairperson of Guildburys Theatre Company, said closing the Electric Theatre had been "devastating".

She said it had been "so significant for us and the local community" and was a "friendly and wonderful space to perform".

The council said it was organising roundtable discussions "to bring interested parties together" and previously said it would "consider the wider social value" when assessing proposals.

The Electric Theatre began operating as a theatre in 1997 and was originally an electricity works for the town.

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